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21-point content marketing checklist for bloggers

Effective content marketing and writing for the Web takes skill. It's not as easy as writing a blog post.

The work doesn't stop when you've written the article or post. The distribution channels you've developed and relationships you've cultivated over the
years (read:reach and impact) affect the success of your content. It's equally important to track your results and report back to your
brand or agency partners.

But I'll cover distribution and reporting another day. Here are the bare bones you must do before you hit that "publish" button:

Images are important. Sometimes an image is what makes me read a post, so be sure to include one.

Your first paragraph is important. Make sure it's short and compelling, and delivers the key message of the post.

Cite your sources, and make sure you link any claims to clear sources.

Search engine optimization:

Your headline must be 60 characters or fewer.

Your first paragraph must be strong and must include the keyword or keyword phrase from your title.

Make sure a link in your first sentence or paragraph connects to a related piece from the blog on which you're publishing.

Within the body of your post include two to five additional links that connect to relevant material on external sites, as well as to the site on which
you're publishing. Every link in your post should not be to your site. Nor should they be solely to the site your post appears on.

Make sure your links use text phrases two to five words long and describe where the links lead (i.e. use "writing for bloggers," not "click here").

Use bold subheads in your post for readability.

Use keywords wisely in your subheads.

Make sure all images have captions, alt text and titles relevant to your topic.